New to effects OD question

[FirewalZ]

Ive been playing for a long time, but only recently started to pickup a few pedals. I’m looking for something to add a bit or grit or hair to the tone, that will boost as well. I play through a D800 and normally have a clean tone, but looking for something that can boost and add a touch of tubiness drive or hair. I prefer simple controls(not 12 knobs and don’t really like full on distortion. I recently picked up a Boss Bass Driver, it was my first foray into, this space, it works well enough, just seeing what else is out there. $200-250 budget range.
Thx.

 

[bassbrad]

The Sushi Box Lab Rat X gives you several choices of dirt with a broad EQ range with actual tubes.
Lab Rat X – Sushi Box FX

 

[Mo'Phat]

MXR MC402 https://www.amazon.com/JIM-DUNLOP-11402000001-MC402-Overdrive/dp/B000K668X2/ref=asc_df_B000K668X2/

Or Fulltone Bassdrive

Or Electro Harmonix has a few OD plus Boost pedals to look at.

Fuzzrocious could likely add a boost to something like the OC demon or Cat Tail.

 

[FirewalZ]

What about this?
https://www.amazon.com/Darkglass-Electronics-Vintage-Microtubes/dp/B00CA8XGNS

 

[Mo'Phat]

I misread, thought you wanted a two-button solution for OD or Boost or OD+Boost.

Hundreds of options for great OD. Darkglass VMT is one.

 

[Killing Floor]

What @bassbrad said and Sushi makes a handful of tube based pedals that add warmth and grit. Underground Accelerator is great in front of that Mesa head too.

 

[ctmullins]

Is it passé in this day and age to still like and recommend the SansAmp stuff?

 

[Raman]

A second endorsement for DarkGlass Vintage Microtubes.
I already had a Distortion/Fuzz pedal (Empress MultiDrive) and was looking for an OD pedal that would bring a warmer tube-like distortion. The VMT is what I settled for.

 

[dave64o]

I like Blueberry-based circuits for a low gain. I currently own a Bearfoot FX Blueberry, a One Control Blackberry, and a Bearfoot FX Queen Bee, which are all Blueberry circuits and come in under your budget. I also have a One Control Hooker's Green Bass Machine, which I find pretty Blueberry like. All have different flavors and their own tweaks on the circuit but all do low gain OD very nicely. It's getting really hard to find now, and getting more expensive too, but I have an [sfx] Micro Red Dragon that has that same kind of Blueberry flavor as well.

That being said, none of those are currently on my board. At this time, I'm using a Spaceman Effects Saturn VI as my current always on, low gain OD tone. I also have a Broughton FlipTop preamp that I use for a little more gain and a slightly darker tone than my always on tone. But I've been thinking I might swap their roles and have the FlipTop be my always on and try the Saturn VI in the slightly more gain and slightly darker role. I really like the other pedals I mentioned above and have no plans to sell any of them, but I REALLY like what I'm getting from the Saturn VI and the FlipTop these days.

 

[HolmeBass]

Creation Audio Labs Grizzly Bass is what I use for this. I never turn the distortion knob up at all.

 

[Smurf-o-Deth]

I’ll give my usual recommendation here: the Nobels ODR-1 circuit is fantastic on bass, especially for adding a bit of natural-sounding hair. The mini is good and cheap, but my personal favorite take is the Wampler Belle.

 

[mmbongo]

Why not just use the overdrive in your D800?? Just turn up the input gain to engage it.

 

[Aidenn7]

Damnation Audio MBD-2

 

[Microbass]

Is it passé in this day and age to still like and recommend the SansAmp stuff?

This was my thought exactly. Even better, you can grab a 20 buck copy from Behringer in the BDI21 to see if it's something that would be useful. Or be like me and grab one with the intent to upgrading to the real deal when the Behringer broke and 6 years on it's still going strong...

A second endorsement for DarkGlass Vintage Microtubes.
I already had a Distortion/Fuzz pedal (Empress MultiDrive) and was looking for an OD pedal that would bring a warmer tube-like distortion. The VMT is what I settled for.

When I demo'd the VMT on my first foray into Darkglass, I didn't feel it was for me... That demo is changing my mind!

Another recommendation could be the TC Electronic Spark Booster - the 4 knob version. Again fairly cheap and simple and has a fair following on TB. I picked one up recently and have to say it's not quite for me but you can easily get an edgier tone and boost.

 

[el murdoque]

Damnation MBD-2
Fairfield Barbershop
Smallsound/Bigsound Mini
Crazy Tube Circuits Locomotive
Sushi Box FX ... most of them ;-)

 

[nnnnnn]

Why not just use the overdrive in your D800?? Just turn up the input gain to engage it.

Worth a try, but not very switchable mid-song.

 

[FirewalZ]

Why not just use the overdrive in your D800?? Just turn up the input gain to engage it.

Thanks, and yes of course this works….but I don’t want it “always on”. I want to turn it on when needed and boost.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

JHS Morning Glory is nice on bass.

 

[yodedude2]

Is it passé in this day and age to still like and recommend the SansAmp stuff?

aw heck i'm so old i'm still pining for a blue tube

 

[groove pump]

Ive been playing for a long time, but only recently started to pickup a few pedals. I’m looking for something to add a bit or grit or hair to the tone, that will boost as well. I play through a D800 and normally have a clean tone, but looking for something that can boost and add a touch of tubiness drive or hair. I prefer simple controls(not 12 knobs and don’t really like full on distortion. I recently picked up a Boss Bass Driver, it was my first foray into, this space, it works well enough, just seeing what else is out there. $200-250 budget range.
Thx.

I don't get to use many effects or drives myself, but I may grab something like what you're describing soon. A couple that I'll want to look at include the Tech 21 VT Bass and Electro Harmonix (EHX) Bass Soul Food. Apparently there are dozens of others that have potential...

One or two of our pals also gave a nod to the Damnation Audio MBD-2. After checking out a couple of video demos, I can admit that I kinda sorta want one... in case of a zombie apocalypse or something Although that pedal can apparently get pretty outrageous in what sounds like a truly wonderful way, at least one demo also showcases its milder settings and those also sound fantastic.